Help wanted: Brazil trip: help/advice pls.

[Christophe]

Gentlemen,
my wife´s best friend is planning to visit Brazil in a few weeks.
She plans to go backpacking there with a few of her girlfriends.
Problem is that she intends to visit the major cities and the amazon, without any planning whatsoever. No hotels booked, no guides, nothing.
I was wondering if any of you could pass me on some advice to her.
Also, in case of emergency, is there any boardmember living in Brazil that can be contacted, where they can stay if need be etc...?
Feel free to pm me if nec.
Reason I ask all this is that I worry about her (besides the fact she obviously naive and especially that she is my wifes best friend) going over there without any preperation which , In my opinion, is extremely stupid.

Thanks in advance,

Chris.